CNN
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Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant has been suspended by the NBA for eight video games with out pay for “conduct detrimental to the league,” officers introduced Wednesday.
The punishment follows an incident the place Morant was seen in an Instagram Stay video holding a gun at a nightclub outdoors Denver.
The league mentioned an investigation “didn’t conclude that the gun at problem belonged to Morant, was introduced by him into the nightclub or was displayed by him past a quick interval. The investigation additionally didn’t discover that Morant possessed the gun whereas touring with the group or in any NBA facility.”
The suspension consists of the 5 video games Morant had already missed because the incident and Memphis’ video games on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.
He will likely be eligible to play Monday in a house sport in opposition to the Dallas Mavericks.
In an interview with ESPN on Wednesday, Morant mentioned the gun within the video wasn’t his, and that he made a “horrible mistake” by posting the video of himself holding the weapon. He apologized to his group, his household and the league.
“It’s not who I’m,” Morant mentioned. “I don’t condone any sort of violence however I take full accountability for my actions. I made a nasty mistake, and I can see that picture I painted over myself with my latest errors, however sooner or later, I’ll be certain that all people is aware of who Ja actually is, and what I’m about and alter this narrative.”
Morant feels good mentally and has frolicked this week making an attempt to be taught from his errors, he mentioned.
“I spotted I’ve a variety of youngsters who look as much as me, even in all probability some adults,” he mentioned. ” I spotted my previous errors isn’t being a superb function mannequin. Obtained to be higher in that space and be extra accountable, be smarter and make higher choices.”
Morant, who met Wednesday with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, instructed ESPN they’d an “open dialogue,” including he appreciated their dialog.
The 23-year-old’s conduct “was irresponsible, reckless and probably very harmful,” Silver mentioned in an announcement. “It additionally has severe penalties given his monumental following and affect, significantly amongst younger followers who look as much as him.
“He has expressed honest contrition and regret for his conduct. Ja has additionally made it clear to me that he has realized from this incident and that he understands his obligations and accountability to the Memphis Grizzlies and the broader NBA group lengthen nicely past his play on the court docket.”
Earlier this month, the police division in Glendale, Colorado, a suburb of Denver, mentioned the company wouldn’t suggest prices in opposition to Morant.
Correction: A earlier model of this story misstated the variety of video games Ja Morant has missed.
